The more I look at it, the more I see Lucerne...

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by nzr

I think he's dead wrong, but GuionM on the Camaro Z28 board thinks this car is a Lucerne based 2008 Impala. 

http://64.65.63.61/forums/showthread.php?p...476#post4005476

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I think the lineage is given away by the location of the fuel filler door. This model and the Aura have the filler in the same location on the passenger side. The Lucerne fuel filler is located on the drivers side. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this a "hard point" on a platfrom that isn't likely to be changed?

I might be crazy saying this, but I noticed 2 things:

1. The front quarter panel side marker

2. The circular badge at the back

Could this be for Brazil? I know their Vectra has a circular badge with the Opel thunder replaced by a Chevy bowtie.

This is going to blow the haters away. What a hot new Malibu this is. One thing though... I definitely see "big Civic" when I look at it.

I love the fuzzy dice on the inside rear view mirror. I wonder if these will be optional? Maybe its a new antenna design for Onstar?

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by bdubsee

A very handsome car, it must be new the malibu as we've heard numerous reports that the Malibu will grow to better compete with Camry and allow Impala to go RWD and do battle with the 300 and Charger. Engine lineup, 3.5 and 3.6 with 6 speed autos all around?

seksay.

...I'm speechless....Please GM don't half ass this car, give it the 3.6 w/ the 6-speed.

It's a bit soft from the A-pillar back, but it's a HUGE (HUGE!) improvement over the current car. I love how they've massaged the SEMA Malibu nose into something bold, yet still mainstream enough for a volume car.

'I'm Lovin' It!'

Seriously I can't think of how to photo chop it to clear out that tape though.

I'm wondering how the rear doors and C-pillar are going to look..is it going to be similar to the Aura or will there be a small window in the pillar like the Impala..

I'm wondering how the rear doors and C-pillar are going to look..is it going to be similar to the Aura or will there be a small window in the pillar like the Impala..

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Look at the opposite rear window in this pic, I think it has the answer:

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-content/upl.../Impala%203.jpg

I'm loving that grill. Everything else looks to be a big improvement over the current Malibu, but then again what wouldn't be?

Look at the opposite rear window in this pic, I think it has the answer:

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-content/upl.../Impala%203.jpg

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You can see a clear view of the door cutout here:

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-content/upl.../Impala%206.jpg

when do we think this will be shown at autoshows? naias 07??????

Look at the opposite rear window in this pic, I think it has the answer:

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-content/upl.../Impala%203.jpg

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Ahh..rather Jetta-like rear door upper treatment.

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by moltar

I see some of this in the front end.

Cobalt light housings and I tried to get rid of some of the tape.

I think this is the 'stunner' that the press saw last year.

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by 91z4me

Nothing wrong with that. In fact, the update of the HHR will most likely have the same front end as the concept.

The new Malibu is shaping up to be a beautiful sedan that shows us that GM has been studying Toyota and Honda closely. The side profile gives me a new Camry vibe to it. Though, the huge ass grille will certainly not confuse this vehicle with it's competitors.

The Ford and DCX execs must be S#*@ing their pants after seeing how serious GM is getting with taking on Japan's big three. Makes the Fusion and new Sebring look very half-assed from what little I've seen so far. Which is a good start in my opinion.

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by Cadillacfan

Hmmm...I'll wait to make comments when I see real world pics. As of right now, my first impression of the picture on the homepage is that this is simply a rebadged and re-fascia'd Aura. That front 3/4 view gives a strong nod to the greenhouse shape of the Aura. However, from the side shots I do see how some are comparing it to a Lucerne. Can someone throw up some side-by-side pics of the Aura and this spy shot?

Hmmm...I'll wait to make comments when I see real world pics.  As of right now, my first impression of the picture on the homepage is that this is simply a rebadged and re-fascia'd Aura.  That front 3/4 view gives a strong nod to the greenhouse shape of the Aura.  However, from the side shots I do see how some are comparing it to a Lucerne.  Can someone throw up some side-by-side pics of the Aura and this spy shot?

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I don't think it's a modified Aura..probably has some parts in common--windshield, front doors, but the rear quarters are shaped differently, as are the back doors and C-pillar.

i doubt this will explode the segment for GM, but it will be another improving car line the general sells.

There's a plug haning out of that Malibu's front end. Plug-in hybrid perhaps?

I was thinking the plug was for a engine block heater?

It took them 5 years to adapt the grille from the 2003 SS concept.

IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!

This seems pretty far along for a fall 2007 introduction. Any chance we will see this as an early 2008 early next spring?

I'd say Malibu Epsilon II...

after looking at the saturn Aura... i'd say it looks similar to the aura instead of a full size... currently the Impala is too small to be a full size and too big for a midsized

We see those plugs on prototypes all the time. It's nothing.

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I'm sure they kill aerodynamics and MPG! It's something!

Notice the hood cut-line.

It looks very Porsche/'07 G35-esque. Interesting.

I like it alot

Looks Camry sized to me, and clearly front drive

So Malibu takes on Camcord, RWD Impala takes on 300, Saturn/Opel takes on VW

Sounds good

they just need some more hybrids

if the Impala was redesigned (or something like that) about a year ago, it would make no sence to say that this car is the new impala!! where the common sence?!! malibu looks great right now, period.

if the Impala was redesigned (or something like that) about a year ago, it would make no sence to say that this car is the new impala!! where the common sence?!!

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Well, the thing DOES look too common compared to the competition. Terrible styling, I must admit.

malibu looks great right now, period.

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I sure hope you mean these Malibu spyshots because the '07 Malibu is not very handsome.

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by NOS2006

When I saw the white car my thoughts were 'rebadged Aura', but it seems the c-pillar and the way it flows into the trunk are very different from the Aura and the G6.

The Ford and DCX execs must be S#*@ing their pants after seeing how serious GM is getting with taking on Japan's big three.  Makes the Fusion and new Sebring look very half-assed from what little I've seen so far.  Which is a good start in my opinion.

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Yep. the Fusion and the new Sebring look ordinary compared to the new Bu.

Beautiful! Great lines. Cannot wait to see the Impala. Good idea to buy stock in GM - 'cuase mother Hubbard went to the Ford and Chrysler cubbord and found nothing as good as this looks to be.

Its way too big to be a Malibu. The Lucerne is bigger than the Malibu...which means it cant be a Malibu.

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No, it's not to big to be the Malibu. Size wise, it looks perfect, IMO. I wouldn't be surprised if it's within a few inches of the Camry in ever dimension, as it should be.

As for the Lucerne, don't believe it's a sister car to the Maliub because the article says it may be... after all, as far as they're concerned, it's the Pontiac Lucerne.

Guys.. this is obviously the next Malibu. GMX386, built on Epsilon I in Fairfax. The Epsilon II model is coming out for the 2011 model year.

I'd say Malibu Epsilon II...

after looking at the saturn Aura... i'd say it looks similar to the aura instead of a full size... currently the Impala is too small to be a full size and too big for a midsized

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No it won't be on Epsilon II. The 2008 Malibu will be the last car developed on the Epsilon I platform. The next generation Saab 9-5 will be the first to use the Epsilon II followed by the next generation Pontiac G6 and Buick LaCrosse. I don't have any issues with the Epsilon I platform - my problem is with the powertrains and interiors that have been placed on these. It seems as though GM is finally taking care of this. The Aura is a huge improvement over the Malibu and G6. I hope that this 2008 Malibu gets a good interior and six speed auto.

Anybody else notice the purple fuzzy dice in the window?? LOL!!

I like what I see so far. Sign me up for a V8 with DOD and good highway mileage!

Anybody else notice the purple fuzzy dice in the window?? LOL!!

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Perhaps that will be an option.

When I saw the white car my thoughts were 'rebadged Aura', but it seems the c-pillar and the way it flows into the trunk are very different from the Aura and the G6.

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I have a feeling that the doors and windows are identical to those on the Aura. The C-pillar does seem to have a different shape to it though.

Wow. It does look GM is doing its homework and laying off the half-ass pipe. I guess we'll see if it's true after a glimpse at the interior and powertrain. This thing looks pretty good, especially with the SS concept grille/front end styling. I hope the round taillights stay, too.

When I first saw it, Imapla/Sonata (sides), Civic/Lucerne (rear) and Camry (front) came to mind. Not a really bad thing but I believe the grille and round taillights will help distinguish it from the midsize crowd.

I like what I see so far. Sign me up for a V8 with DOD and good highway mileage!

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V8 not likely. I'd rather see a competitive V6 like the 3.6L in the Aura and G6 mated to the new six speed auto. The Impala will always carry the V8 package - not the Malibu.

The height of the upper grille opening isn't to my preferrence as a third! inlet. I suppose I'll have to wait until the mask comes off; however, I'm hoping it doesn't disappoint like the fugly Camry does.

Love-it-or-hate-it styling is something GM only tinkers with. I've rarely seen them take the risk.

...and this,

Hankook Optima shoes

... makes me cringe. The tires absolutely suck, though only being marginally better than the Goodyear RS/A's that GM can't seem to figure out how to stop using.

Oops, I forgot. Don'tcha see much cues here for the front? ...you all know this image, and who to credit for it:

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by ShadowDog

I wouldn't be surprised with the Hankooks. The G6 is getting those on the base models already.

I got bored

I got bored

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I like how the copyright scrolls by.

I got bored

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I wish I knew how to animate things like that

i like it!

vectra meets civic meets previous model impala, meets HHR tuner from last fall.

me likie!

Edited July 31, 200619 yr by jbartley

Hmm, so does the 2008 Malibu launch next spring?